Bayern Munich on the international stage: Germany vs. Azerbaijan

In the last match of the World Cup Qualifying campaign, the German national team showcased their depth in youth at the expense of Azerbaijan. The current world champions charged to a 5-1 win.

In the last bout of qualifying games for Germany, the reigning champions closed out a perfect run in their campaign. As expected, Joachim Löw fielded a a very young XI, largely composed of Confederations Cup stars. The only veteran Bayern Munich representative was captain Thomas Müller.

Alongside Müller were newly-added Niklas Süle and young star Joshua Kimmich. Unfortunately, given the circumstances, this played out to mixed results. However, this did not affect what was otherwise — in the end — a dominant showing.

The Germans had a fairly lazy first-half performance, but rounded out in the second. Despite a relatively immature first 45, Germany cleaned up shop in the second with a resounding 5-1 sweep of Azerbaijan.

Goretzka steals the show

First and foremost, it needs to be noted that Leon Goretzka was the star here. The young German has put his name up in lights as of late. This is particularly so after his last season at Schalke and his performance at the Confederations Cup. The box-to-box midfielder opened up the game with the most audacious of goals. Goretzka picked up a rebounded ball off a German corner and fired a back-heel into Kamron Aghayev’s near-post.

The up-and-coming star didn’t stop there, as Goretzka later on slid in a second to complete his brace. Manchester City’s Leroy Sané drifted in a grounded cross across the penalty area for Goretzka to redirect on goal. The young German’s powerful engine — tracking back and making offensive runs — all up and down the field does not cease to impress. With Goretzka’s contract running out at the end of this season, the tensions could rise as to who will make the last catch for him.

Mixed bag of results for Bayern Munich stars

Turning attention toward the players representing Bayern Munich on this stage, it wasn’t quite the best of showings. Beginning with the positive, Joshua Kimmich made it out of the matched unscathed. With Löw fielding an experimental three-in-back system, Kimmich wasn’t quite as present up the field as usual. However, he didn’t put too much of a foot wrong in his play, but his positioning in Azerbaijan’s goal could be questionable.

At the same time, it’s fair to say that Shkodran Mustafi’s mid-run injury and Antonio Rüdiger’s horrid defending let Ramil Seydaev’s goal through. In fact, Bernd Leno’s disappointing covering of his own near-post was another culprit. Regardless, that play was a collective lapse in defensive effort. Aside from this, Kimmich was largely competent in making sure he was where he needed to be.

Thomas Müller, unfortunately, had a quiet showing against Azerbaijan. Besides having a nice link up play with Lars Stindl to lead a chance for Sandro Wagner, there was really not much to say for Müller. The big disappointment in regards to Bayern Munich players on the pitch was the injury of Niklas Süle.

For what it is worth, Süle looked as confident as usual while he was on the pitch. The big German was subbed off just after the 21′ mark. Earlier, Süle showed to have some muscular pains and tried to ride out the problem. Unfortunately, it was clear that staying on wasn’t worth the risk. Hopefully, the injury wasn’t anything serious and his premature substitution was precautionary.

Germany can go confidently into 2018

All in all, it was another successful international break for Germany. The champions proved, in Confederations Cup and otherwise, that the German depth is a key role to their future success. While the match started out as a careless performance by the youngsters, the second half was truly a testament to Germany’s youth. The match showed a variety of highlights to this — Emre Can’s screamer needs a mention, of course.

Next: Joachim Low backs Jupp Heynckes to do well at Bayern Munich

The German up-and-comers shouldn’t forget that, while qualification was secured, each game is an audition for them. Like an audition, Joachim Löw is the director that is always watching. As Joachim Löw said in the past, no player is guaranteed a spot on this national team. Everything must be earned.